A/N: Hello! I know, I know... it's been over a month and I am sorry for that. I am hoping to get a better schedule with this story when it comes to the last few updates coming. I really love this story so much, and I hate how much I have been neglecting it. I know this is also a favorite of some and I will try to do better on the updating front. But with that said, thank you all SO much for your reviews on the last chapter. I am so happy you all enjoyed the proposal so much, it was really so fun to write and it felt overdue here.

I hope you all can enjoy this one as much as you did the last. Please review and let me know what you thought.

There is a slightly M-rated moment in this one so look out for that.

Salvation
Gabriella Aplin

You are the avalanche
One world away
My make believing
While I'm wide awake

"Hermann, get down! Cruz, I need that aerial up on three quick!"

"Casey? How's it looking?" Boden's strong voice sounded through the radio.

"Heating up fast Chief... less than a minute," Casey responded, pulling the victim's he had tucked against him closer. "Cruz, where's that aerial, we are heading up?!"

"Raising it up, Lieutenant!"

Gabby clutched the radio that was rested against her chest tighter, her heart rate through the roof as she took in the conversation happening.

"Good thoughts, Dawson," Shay tells her, focusing on the patient in front of her and strapping the oxygen mask into place. "Good thoughts, that's all you can do right now." Shay reminds her.

Gabby takes a shaky breath, sparing one last glance at the fiery building in front of her before moving back to Shay's side, getting a line in and pushing her stethoscope onto her ears as she listened to the patient's breath sounds.

This was far from the first time Casey had been in a compromising situation on a call and Gabby knew it was likely far from the last. Half his job description centered around giving her a heart attack. It was always these calls that were the worst. The ones where Casey found himself in some sort of compromising situation, the entire event playing out over the radios while Gabby was left to sit outside feeling completely and utterly helpless to it all. Wanting nothing more than to run in there and pull him out herself and knowing that was the absolute last option she had.

She forced herself to focus on the task at hand. Forcing herself back into her PIC role instead of the worried spouse one she so often found herself battling with. She helps her patient get an oxygen mask settled onto her face and settled down onto the next awaiting ambulances gurney before turning back to her partner who was finishing up with her own patient. Shay carefully wrapping the first-degree burn before securing the bandage and passing the patient off to ambulance 32.

Once Gabby knew her partner's attention was free, she started, "Hey, let's get the spare oxygen tanks out of the side compartment... I have a feeling we are going to need them for the rest."

Shay nods her understanding, hopping down from the back of the rig and following Dawson to the side door while they wait for the next influx of patients that they knew were still inside with 81.

The PIC passes two of their extra tanks to the blonde before grabbing two more of her own, the two of them rounding the back of the ambulance once more.

"How many more do you..."

Shay's words were abruptly cut off by the loud crash that came from the building 50 yards away. Both the girls ducking down at the sound and the intense heat that billowed out of the 4-story apartment building as glass shattered from the third-floor windows.

"81, report!" Boden's booming voice echoed through the radio. "Casey, Hermann, talk to me!"

Gabby's blood ran cold, her body tensing as she took in what was happening. Her glassy eyes flashing to the Chief's worried ones.

Severide is immediately leaning down and putting his mask back on. "I'm going in Chief." He hollers, not open to any disagreements.

Shay's hand squeezes Dawson's shoulder comfortingly, Gabby's eyes locked on the building in front of her unmoving.

The radio crackles to life, a fit of coughing sounding through, "We're good Chief. Ceiling collapsed. We're pinned down on the second floor. Gonna need the aerial on two instead."

Gabby feels a hesitant relief flood through her as Casey's voice filters through the radio. Her eyes closing as she lets it wash over her. Though she knows her worry won't fully cease until she lays her eyes on him.

The scene is a flurry of activity as Cruz moves the aerial and Severide directs his attention from heading into the building back to the truck, moving up the aerial to the window before Cruz has even set it in place.

The window being broken out a moment later letting Gabby get her first sight of him before he is disappearing, behind the cloud of smoke again. One victim after another being ushered out the window and down the aerial.

"Come on Casey, let's go!" Hermann hollers.

Gabby listens through the radio, trying to keep her attention on the second wave of victims coming down the ladder, but the edge in Hermann's voice catches her attention immediately, her eyes flying up to the window once more.

"Not until you're clear." She hears Matt choke out, her heart rate rising once more as she starts to understand the new situation.

"Lieutenant..." Hermann's rough voice argues.

"Go, Hermann! That's an order!" She hears him holler, the fire roaring behind him.

Matt was holding it back.

She watches as Hermann climbs out the window; he and Severide scooting back on the ladder but not going far.

"Alright Casey, come on!" Severide yells back.

The next scene plays out before her so quickly she barely has time to take it all in. A burst of fire shoots out the window with a roar, smoke billowing around before it clears.

"Casey!"

The Chief's frantic voice has her eyes refocusing, and what she sees leaves her breathless. Matt is hanging from the ladder; Severide and Hermann holding on to him with one hand each.

"Come on, Casey." Severide breathes out. "Come on, pull yourself up, we got you." He forces out, Gabby hearing the struggle in his words as he strains to hold the blond Lieutenant up and trying to keep her cool. Matt grunts, struggling to get himself up, but after a few moments, Severide and Hermann both work together to get him up on the ladder.

"You good?"

Casey coughs for a moment, pulling his mask off and taking a breath. "Yeah, yeah I'm good." he chokes out and they are finally descending down the ladder.

Gabby finally feeling like she can breathe again for the first time in nearly 10 minutes.

Chief calls the all-clear into his radio for Engine to open up the hoses just as the three are setting their feet on the ground.

The PIC looking away from her patient for only a moment to get a look at her fiancé as he spoke to the Chief. She pulls her eyes away long enough to pass her patient along to the remaining ambulance before turning to her partner and sharing a look with Shay.

"I got this, go check on him." The blonde urges, her own worried eyes moving from her patient and settling on the Lieutenant across the scene.

Gabby gives her a thankful nod before moving quickly, her need to get confirmation that Matt was alright winning out as she rushes over. Chief's eyes moving to her as he continues talking.

"...Ride with 61 to Med and get checked out."

"Chief, I'm fine. I..." his argument is met with a stern glare from Boden and he silences. "Got it."

Boden shakes his head, moving away from his Lieutenant and PIC. Gabby quickly swoops in.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Her worried voice questions instantly, Chief's pushing to go to the hospital only furthering her already racing heart.

Casey shakes his head, letting his eyes fall on her as she looks him over, not meeting his own stare. "I'm fine, just a burn." He tries to soothe her, but his words do the opposite, her eyes widening as she continues to look him over frantically. He sighs, pulling them away from the rest of the firefighters and towards 61. "Baby." He prods lightly, her eyes finally snapping to his as she stops looking him over for any discernable injuries and he is able to see just how much he has scared her.

Matt rests his hands on her shoulders, doing what he can to reassure and calm her. "I'm okay." He tells her once more.

Gabby looks him over again, gnawing on her bottom lip before she finally takes a breath. Letting her eyes fall closed and some of the anxiety she had been carrying since she first heard his voice call through the radio, fall off her shoulders.

"Come here." He says softly, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her. Gabby accepting the hug completely and burrowing herself into his embrace, not worrying about the smoky gear that she was sure would rub off on her or the sweat that was still pouring down his brow. All that matters was he was okay.

"You sure you're okay?" Her muffled voice hits his ears and he smiles lightly, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head.

"I am now."

Just a trick of light
To bring me back around again
Those wild eyes
A psychedelic silhouette

"Gabby, baby..."

A smirk of satisfaction fills her lips at his moan of her name, and she picked up her pace, rocking her hips down into his harder as his grip on her hips tightened. The contact likely enough to leave bruises that would match the ones that she knew would be appearing on her chest from their busy morning together in bed.

After a long shift and nearly two hours at Med, while Matt's burn on his shoulder was cleaned and dressed, the two were happy to be home and get to spend some much-needed time together before they separated for the night to attend their bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Things had been busy for both Matt and Gabby as they prepared for their wedding that was fast approaching.

The couple had been engaged for five months, and their wedding was only a few days away. The two deciding not to have a long engagement and wanting to be married as soon as they could get something planned. Both knowing they had spent far too long wanting this to wait longer than they had to.

While both of them had been willing to have a courthouse wedding, Camilla Dawson was dead set against as much and so the wedding planning began...

Now they were only a few days away and the excitement was buzzing between the both of them. Gabby and Matt both more than ready to be able to call the other their spouse for the rest of their lives.

"Matt." Her own moan filled the air, her head rolling back as her eyes closed, her rhythm faltering as the pleasure started to become too much.

Matt took the hint, feeling how close to the edge she was by the way her walls were closing in on him. His grip on her hips tightening as he used his leverage on the bed to thrust up into her, a shriek leaving her lips as he hit deeper, working her closer to the edge.

"Baby," Gabby whined, her nails biting into his chest as she held herself up, her eyes rolling back, and her moan's growing louder, urging him on further. Matt's unrelenting pace bringing them both to their end a few moments later, his movements finally stilling as Gabby collapsed down onto his chest, her breaths sporadic and choppy as her legs continued to tremble around his waist.

Matt running a hand along her bareback as her head tucked into his neck, trying to gain back control of his own breathing.

His hand running a soothing pattern up and down her spine sends a shiver through her and Matt is reaching down for their comforter that had been kicked to the end of the bed at some point during their lovemaking. A low whine leaving the brunette as he slips out of her before she is snuggling deeper into his embrace as he tucks the blanket around them.

"You good?" He questions softly, his pattern on her skin resuming as he wraps another arm around her, tucking her bare body close to his.

A hum of contentment leaves her, her breath tickling the skin of his neck as she moves. "Oh, I'm more than good." She teases lightly.

Matt scoffs, shaking his head as he laughs. "Well, I'd hope so." He teases back, turning his head to press a kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a moment before pulling back and settling into the bed, their legs tangling together under the blanket as they got comfortable. Gabby's hand moving up to run along his collarbone soothingly.

"You feeling okay?" She asks quietly.

Matt sighs, knowing she is referring to the burn on his shoulder. His close call from shift the day before worrying her more than she would ever admit. The one she had been checking in on him for since they returned back to the house from the hospital yesterday. Her questions not dying down even as they left shift this morning and headed home.

Gabby's checking in on him only stopping over the last few hours after Matt had drug her to their bedroom claiming he was going to prove to her just how okay he was really feeling. And that he had. Or at least, he thought he had. A grin growing on his face as he rubbed his hand between her shoulder blades, his fingers dancing along her caramel skin.

"Have I not proven myself enough already, or do we need to go again?" He teases lightly, catching her by surprise as he pulls her from his side to rest on top of him, a squeak of surprise leaving her as they rest flush together. "Because I am more than willing to prove myself healthy until you are thoroughly convinced." He says, his voice dropping as the gleam in his eyes grows, the blue irises instantly darkening.

Gabby shakes her head, her hands resting on his chest under her. "Well, we both know I will never turn you down." She teases, before her eyes are turning more serious. "But I am serious, baby. You sure you're not in any pain?"

Sighing softly, Mat concedes to her line of questioning. His hands that had rested low on her hips moving to her back, both running up and down the smooth flesh as she lay directly on top of him. "I promise you, I'm alright. My muscles are a little sore from hanging on that ladder, but that's it."

Gabby nods, eyeing him for any signs of deception before looking down, her hand coming up to rub along his cheek. "Okay." She says softly. "If there was more though, you'd tell me, right?" She asks.

Matt nods, pressing up to press a quick kiss to her nose, Gabby's face scrunching up adorably as he settles his head back on the pillow. "Absolutely." He confirms. "When have I ever lied to you?"

Gabby's eyes roll before she is hitting him with a hard, unimpressed glare. "Yeah, don't answer that." He speaks before she can, a scoff leaving her lips as she shakes her head.

A beat of silence passes between them as Matt looks her over. "You sure you aren't just hoping there is something wrong with me so I am unable to go tonight?" He teases lightly, Gabby shifting in his arms uncomfortably has his interest instantly peaked... "Oh my God, that is it, isn't it?"

She avoids his eyes. "I mean, not entirely, of course, I am actually worried about you." She mumbles, her eyes directed down at his chest despite their very close proximity.

Casey smiles lightly. Gabby's anxious tendencies something that despite how it made her feel, he had always found adorable. The way her eyes always cast down, the way she never would meet his stare, how her nose would scrunch up while she thought over her words and she would gnaw on her bottom lip.

Everything she did was adorable to him, he had to admit, but the way she acted while she was nervous, or unsure of what she wanted to say to him, that was one of the things top on his list. He ran his hand comfortingly over her side, reaching up to tuck the hair that had fallen in front of her eyes as she looked down back behind her ear, cupping her cheek in the process and pulling her gaze to his.

"Talk to me." He prompts softly.

"It's nothing, really..." She starts, looking back down. "I guess I am just a little anxious about what all will be happening tonight..." She trails off, Matt's brows furrowing at her words as he takes them in, trying to understand exactly what that means.

It's only then he starts to fully understand what she is meaning, the thought fully clicking before his eyes are falling closed. A small smile falling onto his lips as it sets in.

"Baby..." He says softly, pulling her attention back to him, her timid brown eyes meeting his once more. "Are you meaning at the parties?"

Gabby's eyes shift her hesitation enough of an answer to his question. He had known Gabby wasn't crazy about the bachelor party idea. Kelly had been hyping up the party and his plans for Casey for the past few weeks whether it be at work or when it was just the three of them and Shay hanging out and he could see the slight shift in Gabby every time it was brought up.

Though his fiancé had not said anything and he had not pushed her, especially while at work, he could tell she had been uncomfortable about it, and he had meant to mention it sooner.

Gabby was a confident woman, but he knew the idea of anyone else being all over him made her uncomfortable, and he couldn't say he blamed her because the feeling was mutual. Severide had in not so many words made it clear tonight would be a wild night, and though Casey had told him no strip clubs were allowed, he knew Gabby had not been aware of that request of his. She was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of him being at a strip club and she would never tell him as much, he knew that.

"Gabby, you know you have nothing to worry about, right?" He strokes her cheek with his thumb, hoping to soothe her with his words and actions.

She shakes her head, blowing out a puff of air. "I know. God, I do. I know I am being irrational; I do." She rambles, clearly unsure of her own emotions as she gets out her feelings. "I am being completely ridiculous, I know I am. I just... I love you, and the thought of that happening... of someone else being all over you, no matter how harmless it seems, just makes my skin crawl." She finally admits.

Matt smiles softly, rubbing his hand over her back as she forces out the words, happy to finally have her admitting her feelings. Feelings he knew were there, and after years of them not having each other to themselves, he understood why they were there.

"I love you." He tells her, a smile falling over her lips as she relaxes into him. "I love you, and you know I would never do anything that makes you uncomfortable, Gabby." Matt explains, and she nods.

"I know, and I trust you." She breathes out, already starting to feel bad about her words, not wanting to guilt trip into not having a good time at his party. "I want you to have a good time with the guys tonight, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

Matt shakes his head, pulling her closer, "You have nothing to be sorry about, baby. I never want you to hold back how you are feeling around me. I'm happy you told me." He breathes out, "...besides, now I can tell you how there will be no strippers, or strip clubs."

Gabby's eyes widen, looking at him curiously. "What?"

Casey smirks lightly, "I told Severide a couple of weeks ago that I just wanted a night out with the guys, nothing wild." He explains.

She shakes her head, taking in his words. "...but Severide, he kept talking about your party at work and I just assumed..."

Matt shakes his head, "He did, but it was never about strip clubs." He promises her, his smirk unmoving as he watches her eyes narrow.

"You knew this whole time I was worried about this and thinking Severide was trying to get you laid in a strip club, and never said anything?" She challenges.

He laughs, shaking his head at her overly dramatic words. "I knew you were worried about the party; I didn't know exactly what you were worried about in my defense."

Gabby shakes her head, biting back a smirk as her eyes stay locked on his. "You are terrible."

Grinning he wraps his arms around her tighter, "You really think I would do anything that would make you that uncomfortable?" He says softly, his tone turning serious. "I love you, Gabby, so much. I would never do anything that would disrespect you like that, especially when I know you wouldn't like it."

Gabby nods, her features softening as she presses forward, her lips meeting his in a long kiss.

"I love you too... and thank you." She breathes out, pressing one more kiss to his lips.

Gabby tucks her head back into his neck, snuggling deeper into his warmth. Matt wraps her up in his arms, pressing a kiss to her head, a small smile permanently etched into his features.

"It's crazy you know..." He starts after a few minutes of silence pass between them, "I waited nearly a decade for this to be real... and now that it is, it's better than I ever could have imagined. Being with you, getting to come home to you every night... it's amazing. I can't wait to get to call you my wife, Gabriela Dawson."

Gabby looks up, her head resting on his shoulder and her eyes shining at his words. The vulnerability that he reserved just for her something that still caught her off guard even after all these years. Nearly a decade, as Matt had pointed out.

"I can't wait to be Gabriela Casey." She says softly, the gleam in her eyes something he would never get tired of, a warmth spreading through his chest at her words.

A large unmoving grin spreads across his face at her words. "Four more days and you will be Mrs. Casey." He tells her, his words holding a wonder in them like he could barely believe it was true.

She giggles, the sounds the best thing he had ever heard, "God, that makes me so happy."

Matt rubs a hand through her hair, cupping her cheek. "Me too, baby." He pulls her close, pressing a loved filled kiss to her lips, one that is soon deepening.

The two of them falling back into a familiar rhythm as Matt rolls on top of her, tucking her against the bed as he settles between her legs. The engaged couple ready to make the most of the rest of the morning before they separated for the night to celebrate with their friends.

I never meant to fall for you but I
Was buried underneath and
All that I could see was white

My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my

"Shots!"

Gabby shook her head, sparing a glance at her blonde best friend as she walked back to the table with a tray littered with shot glasses filled to the brim.

The soon to be bride already having her fill of the amber liquor for the night, but Shay continuing to bring more and more shots to the table.

The group of ladies that had gathered to celebrate Gabby all reaching out and taking a glass, Shay practically forcing the final one into her best friends' hand. Gabby shot her a playful glare, taking hold of the shot as Shay smirked triumphantly, leaning over and pressing a sloppy kiss on her cheek, spilling some of her own shot in the process, before she is sat back up, clearing her throat.

"What are we cheering to this time, Leslie?" Kendra asks, a smirk growing on her lips as Shay thinks it over. The rest of the group looking on with raised brows.

Gabby's group consisting of Shay, her sister in law, Laura, Lindsey, Rafferty, and some of Gabby's cousins and longtime friends. Some she had worked within the CFD before, other friends she had from school. Gabby's mother had started out with the group, making it through the dinner portion and the first bar, before she had left, letting her daughter know she was going to head out now before the group got too rowdy for her.

"To the future Mrs. Casey, my badass friend, and PIC. I love you more than anything, and I can't wait to get you married off... It's about damn time." Shay lifts her shot, the rest of the group laughing at their friends' expense as they cheer and down their shots.

Dawson sets her empty glass down with a shiver, shaking off the burn the alcohol has on her throat and looking up at her friend through hazy eyes. Shay smirks, tucking her hair back that has fallen forward and looking her over.

"How are you feeling, Gabs?" She asks amused, her friends pleasantly drunk at this point.

With a lazy smile, Gabby meets her eyes, "I feel great, Leslie Shay." She quips.

Shay shakes her head, "Yeah, I bet you do." She jokes. "You having a good time?"

"Of course, I am Shay." She squeezes her arm, smiling contently as she looks around at her friends that are talking away, all enjoying their night out. The bachelorette party starting at a restaurant downtown, one of Gabby's favorites, before they were loading the party bus shay had purchased for them. The bus driving them around to all the best bars in the city. Gabby was having the time of her life. She couldn't remember the last time she had such a wild night out with friends, but if she had to guess, it hadn't been since college.

"Thank you, for all of this. It's been amazing."

Shay smiles brightly pulling her in for a long hug. "You're welcome, babe. It's what you deserve."

When they pull apart Shay settles down in the seat next to her. "You sure you are ready for this?"

Gabby smiles brightly, "Positive, Shay." She looks down, wringing her hands together, and gnawing on her bottom lip. "I have loved him for so long... this all almost doesn't seem real." She breathes out vulnerably.

The blonde paramedic rubs a soothing hand over her back. "Well, it is. In a little less than three days, you will be married."

The PIC's face breaks out into a megawatt smile before she is biting on her bottom lip, trying to contain her unmovable grin. The alcohol in her system leaving her unable to contain the near giddiness she was feeling. Shay shaking her head at her reaction before checking her watch and seeing the time, knowing they had one more stop they could make before the bars closed. She grabbed her friends' arm, carefully pulling her down from her stool and looking at the rest of the group.

"Come on, we have one more place to hit." She tells her, Gabby wrapping an arm around her waist for extra support as she looks at her curiously, letting herself be led back to the bus.

Kelly slaps Matt on the back as he comes up behind him, placing another beer down in front of the blond Lieutenant before taking a seat at the barstool next to him.

"I don't know if I need another one of those." Matt mutters, running a hand over his tired face causing Kelly to laugh.

"It's your bachelor party, Casey! We got another hour and a half till bar close, drink up!" Kelly argues, Matt letting out a low groan before grabbing the beer and taking a large drink to appease his friend. Kelly laughs, "There ya go, now that is more like it!"

Matt looks around the crowded bar, finding Hermann and Otis working on serving a few people while the rest of the 51 crew that had come out to celebrate lines the tables and bars accompanied with Antonio and a few of Matt's friends he had made in the CFD over the years. The boys settling at Molly's just a few minutes ago. Kelly talking Matt into one last stop, before they took him home. Matt, already having his fair share of drinks, only giving in because it was Molly's and he knew there would be no rowdy partying like their last few bars had been. Casey not drinking this much in longer than he could remember. But no one could say he hadn't had a great time.

His group of friends making sure he had the time of his life while they were out for the night, between the cigar bar Kelly had taken them too and the few bars they had been at over the last few hours Casey had enjoyed himself more than even he thought he would.

"So, we getting cold feet yet?" Kelly joked lightly.

Matt's smile widening as he shook his head, taking another sip of his beer. "Not a chance."

Kelly grinned at his words. Matt's demeanor leading up to his pending nuptials a vast difference from what it was the last time they were in this position. Kelly knowing better than anyone else that Casey had become a ghost of himself leading up to his wedding with Hallie. At the time Kelly had chopped it up to nerves or anxiety, never fully understanding what had gotten into his best friend, but not knowing what to say or do to bring him out of it.

It was only more recently he had realized why Casey had been like that before and it had everything to do with the woman he would finally be marrying here in a few days. Kelly never seeing his friends smile wavering when his fiancé or wedding was brought up. The difference in the blond Lieutenant speaking volumes.

Shaking his head Kelly took a sip of his own beer, his eyes falling back to his friend whose smile had yet to leave his face, Kelly could only imagine it wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, only growing further.

"You and Dawson are really great together, Case. I'm happy for you two."

Matt lifts his beer, titling it in his direction. "Thanks, Kel." He says softly, the two taking a long drink, Matt nearly finishing his beer before setting it back down. "I appreciate everything you have done tonight Kelly, but I should probably get going here soon. I wanna beat Gabby home."

Kelly's smile only grows further, "Come on, one more, then I'll make sure you get home to your girl."

Casey hesitates for a moment, but gives in, nodding for him to order another round. The two getting caught up in conversation before their beers are getting placed down in front of them. It's only another few minutes before the door is being pushed open, a group of ladies filtering inside and catching their attention, a knowing grin falling on Kelly's face. Casey looks at him curiously.

"Hey! There's our girl!" He hears Hermann holler and he is turning around on his stool quickly, finding Gabby's hazy eyes from across the bar and a large smile falling onto his lips as she makes her way to him, Shay leading the way.

The moment she is in arms reach he is wrapping his arms around her, pressing a long kiss to her lips. "Hey, baby." He says softly, only pulling away far enough to get a look at her, his hands staying firmly planted on her hips as she steps between his legs.

"Hi, you."

Casey runs a hand over her hair, grinning at the headband that read "bride to be" on the top along with the bright white sash that was wrapped around her shoulder. "You have a good night?"

Gabby nods quickly, and if her actions weren't answer enough, the hazy look in her eyes would be. "I did." She finally answers, a drunken hiccup leaving her and causing her nose to scrunch up. Casey shakes his head, pressing a kiss to her head before pulling her closer. His fiancé tucking herself against his chest and resting there comfortably as she takes in the group around them. Their friends all mingling together to end out their night. Her eyes find Shay's once more from over Matt's shoulder talking with Kelly.

"You had this planned all along, huh?" She questions. Their best man and maid of honor turning to them at the question.

"Of course, we did." Kelly starts. "We both knew you love birds would want to end the night together, it's why we didn't book hotels." He answers. Matt grinning at his words that he knew were true. Originally the plan had been for them to end their nights with their friends in hotels, Shay and Kelly both talking about booking out luxurious rooms to end their nights with their half of the couple, before soon vetoing the idea. Matt could feel Gabby tuck herself further into his embrace, her head resting comfortably against his chest as he ran a hand up and down her back.

"We did book one room, however." Shay buts in, Matt's brows raising as he looks to the blonde. She digs in her purse, pulling out a room key and passing it to the Lieutenant.

Matt looks it over, his eyes widening when he sees the name of the hotel is one that was easily a couple hundred dollars just for a night.

"You two did this?" He questions.

Shay shrugs. "Yeah well, we know you two aren't taking any time off work after the wedding and are waiting to do a honey moon, so we wanted to get you an early wedding present. Check out isn't till late afternoon so you have a spa appointment scheduled at ten tomorrow morning and I dropped off everything you two needed to get ready for the rehearsal dinner from there." She explained.

"This is... wow." Gabby breathes out, sobering at her friend's words. "This is amazing guys, thank you." She moves from Matt's embrace, pulling both of her friends into long hugs before Matt does the same.

"You two deserve it." Kelly tells them sincerely, Gabby tucking herself back into Matt's side. "Now, you still aren't allowed to leave until bar close, so come on, let's finish this night outright." He tells them, before he is turning around and calling for another round of shots down the bar.

Gabby wraps her arms around Matt's shoulders, not missing the look in his eyes as he looks her over. "You sure you didn't get enough of me this afternoon?"

Matt scoffs, pulling her impossibly close. "I will never have enough of you." He tells her softly, pressing a deep kiss to her lips. "...I will prove it to you tonight." He says against her lips, pressing one last kiss to her before pulling back. Heat rising to her cheeks at his words.

"You're on." She challenges back softly, Matt's blue eyes darkening at her words before they are being pulled by their friends over to the table.

The couple enjoying the rest of their parties together with all their friends. Both knowing their night was now only getting started, but wanting nothing more than to end this part of it surrounded by all the people they loved more than anything.

You are the snowstorm
I'm purified
The darkest fairytale
In the dead of night

"Gabriela, where do you want this?"

Gabby turns on her heels to find her mother at the back of the reception hall holding a large sign, one that Gabby knew had instructions for their guests on it. She shakes her head, biting back a smile, "It's fine back there on the easel, Mama."

Casey grins, rubbing his hand over his fiancés nearly bareback, the dress she chose for their rehearsal dinner leaving her skin exposed to him, his fingers dancing lightly across the smooth flesh as he took her in once more. The light ivory halter top only highlighting her caramel skin further. The intricate lace detail that covered the dress coming up around her neck, the thin lace straps hooking behind her neck. The dress clung to her skin, something he had been keenly aware of since she put it on before they left their hotel room Shay and Kelly had gotten them. The figure-hugging dress cutting off right above her knee. Casey's eyes moving to the nude heels that covered her feet, giving her a few inches of height before his eyes trailed back up her body, landing on the bright smile that covered her face. Her makeup natural, and beautiful, her hair pulled back in a stylish low bun, her dark curls falling out of it and framing her face.

The couple had spent the majority of their time enjoying every aspect of their hotel room, from the large California king-sized bed to the whirlpool tub that was in the bathroom and the spa appointment that their friends had purchased for them. The soon to be married couple enjoying every second of their time together before their dinner tonight, though sleep had been one of the last things on their schedule, they both had still left feeling plenty relaxed. Both buzzing with excitement at what was to come.

Matt looks her over further as she stand beside him and he was once again struck by just how absolutely breathtaking Gabriela Dawson is, and he knew if the warmth that spread through his chest at the sight of her now was any indication of how he would be feeling in another 48 hours when she was walking down this very aisle... he was a goner.

Gabby's arm runs over his, her eyes falling back to him as she watches her mother move to the back of the hall once more. The older Dawson a nervous ball of energy as she moved around before everyone arrived, doing what she could to ensure the rehearsal went off without a hitch.

"I swear, she is more excited about all this then we are." She teases lightly, though Matt was well aware there was a truth to her words, a light chuckle escaping him.

"Well, for as excited as I am to make you my wife..." His eyes fell back to his soon to be mother-in-law as she was leaned down, fixing a decoration on one of the chairs, something he was sure she had already done a hundred times in the half-hour they had been here. "...you may have a point there."

Dawson smiles, running a hand up and down his arm, turning further into him. "You sure you're ready for this?" She muses softly, looking around the large room they would be getting married in.

His eyes stay trained on her, watching as she looks around with wide eyes, taking it all in. "Never been more sure of anything in my life, baby."

A warmth fills her chest at his words, her brown orbs meeting his blue ones in an intense stare, the two of them more content in this moment than they ever had been. Both knowing that in less than 48 hours they'd be back in this room, announcing their love for each other to their closest friends and family and being announced man and wife.

Gabby steps closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and running her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck, another content smile filling her face. "Me too." She says softly before pressing forward, their lips meeting in a love-filled kiss.

As they pull away movement out of the corner of her eyes catches her attention, she pulls back from Matt further, her eyes falling on her father.

"Sorry to interrupt..." He starts, a knowing smile on his face as he watches the couple, heat rising to his daughter's face as Casey shakes his head, his loving eyes trained on her.

"It's fine, Dad." She mumbles.

"The pastor is looking for one of you, said he had a couple of questions for one of you before everyone arrived." He tells them.

Matt makes the move to go, but Gabby stops him, resting her hand on his arm and letting him know she would. She leans up pressing a short kiss to his lips. "I'll be right back."

The two men nod, watching as she goes down the aisle and out the large doors.

Matt looks back to his soon to be father in law. "Thank you, again, for all of your and Camila's help with everything. Gabby and I, we really appreciate it."

Ramon nods, "Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way." He says sincerely, his eyes meeting the man's that had swooped in and stolen his daughters' heart.

"I know this has been a bit rushed, trying to get it all planned in the past few months... but it means the world to us that you two have been so supportive."

Matt continues, knowing if it wasn't for Gabby's parent's help, they wouldn't have gotten everything done this quickly. Camila had been great on taking over with planning. She and Gabby meeting up every couple of days to get everything worked out. The older Dawson taking on the role of not only the mother of the bride but the wedding planner. When it came to catering, music, and the venues, Camila had been a saint and found multiple choices for them. Writing down prices and details to bring to the couple. She had left them with their only job being having to choose from the options she had found and it had made this whole process almost completely free of stress for the engaged couple.

"Well, we both know it isn't as rushed as it may seem," Ramon says knowingly. Casey's eyes snap to his, finding an unreadable stare boring into him. He swallows thickly, unsure of what to say.

"I uh... I'm sorry?" He forces out.

Ramon smiles lightly, shifting on his feet as he looks back to his wife. Camilla at the end of the aisle working on one of the many flower arrangements, before the oldest Dawson turns his eyes back to the man beside him.

"I know about you and Gabby's past, Matthew. Maybe not all of it, but enough of it."

Casey's eyes go wide in surprise, not at all expecting to hear those words come from the man in front of him. The one thing he never wanted Gabby's family to find out was the whirlwind of a past the two of them had. He knew the mistakes he made in the past, he was well aware of them and they were things he and Gabby had worked out together... but he wasn't sure her parents would see it like that and he couldn't say he would blame them for that. Matt was well aware of all the mistakes he made, and all the pain he caused Gabby in the process, he could barely forgive himself for it all, how could he ever expect her parents to forgive him for it. It was nothing short of a miracle that Gabby not only forgave him for everything in their past, but was able to move past it and want to be his wife.

"I uh... I..." Matt stuttered over his words unsure of what to say, "Ramon, I can explain." He says softly, finding it increasingly difficult to meet the older man's stare.

Before he can continue Ramon is holding his hand up, stopping his words in his chest. "It's alright, Matthew. I've known since Gabby moved back to Chicago." He admits, Matt's eyes only widening further. "Antonio." He supplements when he sees the confusion filling the younger man's eyes.

Casey swallows thickly, but nods, he knew Antonio was aware of their past, he, after all, had been the one to help Gabby move across the country years ago. He and Matt had already faced some hurdles when they were first introduced, Casey having to work harder than ever to prove to his girlfriend's brother that he was here for the long haul and that this wasn't like before.

"In the beginning, when Gabby first introduced you, I was hesitant." He admits, Casey eyeing him curiously. After months of dating Gabby and knowing her family, this was the first he was hearing this information. While Ramon hadn't been the most welcoming in the beginning, Matt had never chopped it up to anything more than normal fatherly protectiveness. "Antonio, whether he knew them or not, didn't give me all the details, but I knew enough about you and Gabby's past to be cautious and worried. From what I did know, I was prepared to have to kick your ass at the first sight of any issues between you two..." He jokes lightly, though Matt knows his words hold a lot of truth. The Dawson men never backing down from protecting their girls.

Matt forces out a soft laugh, his hand running over the back of his neck. "Why didn't you?" He asks cautiously.

Ramon's lips turn up, unable to hold back his smile. "I saw you two together." He says simply, "Believe me, that night she brought you over for the first time after Antonio had told me who Gabby was seeing... I was ready to pull you aside and tell you to stay as far away from my baby girl as you possibly could." Ramon pauses, his eyes meeting the blue ones next to him.

"...but then I saw you two together. I saw the way she looked at you and the way you look back at her and... I knew."

"Knew what?" He asks, Ramon's smile growing once more.

"I knew you loved her, and that she loved you. I knew despite your history it was clear what your future was... You reminded me of the way I look at Camila. There was no denying that you loved my daughter and would go to the ends of the earth for her. I was still cautious, don't get me wrong, but I every time we saw the two of you together you just continued to prove it. I knew I had nothing to worry about anymore."

Matt smiles softly, his chest filling with a warmth at Ramon's words. "You don't." He confirms. "Ever have to worry about Gabby... not with me. I know our history is, messy, at best... I made a lot of mistakes, ones I regret because they hurt her, but they are ones Gabby and I have worked through. Some days I still don't know how she found it in her to still love me after everything we have gone through..." Matt admits, trailing off as he sees Gabby come back through the church doors, heading straight over to her mother.

"All I know is, I love her, more than anything else in this world... and I will spend every single day for the rest of my life making sure she knows it."

Ramon smiles brightly, his eyes following the younger man's line of sight straight to his daughter, his smile only growing as he collapses him on the shoulder, Matt's eyes looking back to his.

"I know you will, son. As long as I keep seeing that look in your eyes for the rest of your lives, I know I will never have to worry another day about my baby girl."

"Thank you, Ramon," Matt says sincerely, reaching out and shaking the man's hand, soon being pulled in for a quick hug, the two breaking apart as they heard the voice next to them.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," Gabby says softly, an amused, yet curious look on her face.

Ramon shakes his head, laughing. "Nothing sweetheart, just reminding Matt after the wedding you are official his problem for the rest of your lives."

Gabby scoffs, rolling her eyes as Matt chuckles.

"Please Ramon, you're going to scare the poor boy away with those kinds of words." Camilla butts in, stepping behind her daughter and coming to her husband's side.

Gabby's mouth drops open further, shooting both her parents a playful glare, Matt laughing further as he takes a step to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I don't think we have to worry about that," Ramon says softly, his eyes falling on the couple that has gone off into their own little world, speaking quietly to each other for a moment before Gabby's head is falling back in laughter, the blond man's smile widening as his loving gaze stays locked on her. The look in his eyes unwavering, letting Ramon know all he needed to.

Gabby being 'his problem' for the rest of their lives, was a challenge Matt Casey was more than ready to face.

Let the band play out
As I'm making my way home again
Glorious we transcend
Into a psychedelic silhouette

Dawson yawns enthusiastically, covering her mouth in her arm before going back to pouring her umpteenth cup of coffee for the morning. The few days they spent off shift only proving to leave her more and more exhausted as they led up their wedding.

The afternoon after their previous shift being spent in bed, but not with much sleep and leading into their bachelor and bachelorette parties that ended with them at one of the nicest hotels in the city. The gift from Shay and Severide not going unused as they made great use of the lavish room their best friends had put them up in. Spending most of their night and next day cooped up in the large room. Only leaving for their massages that their friends had scheduled before leaving the hotel later in the afternoon to head for their rehearsal party the night before.

The rehearsal had gone off well, the couple getting to walk through their big day and get some last-minute details ironed out before enjoying a nice meal with their family and closest friends. It had ended up being a longer night then either Matt or Gabby had anticipated. The couple not making their way home and to bed until late, both nearly collapsing into bed after an exhausting, yet fulfilling 48 hours.

This morning's start of shift only proving to want to exhaust her further as ambo had been called out this morning before the Chief could even start the morning briefing. Gabby and Shay ducking out of the meeting and not being back to the firehouse until early afternoon. The PIC only thankful for the quick cups of coffee she was able to steal at their drop-offs at Chicago Med.

Her cup is up to her mouth before she has even set the coffee pot down. Taking a long drink of the hot beverage before filling it once more to the brim. A hand running along her back has her turning to the side, meeting with blue eyes she would know from anywhere.

"Hey you," Matt says softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek and keeping up his rhythm on her lower back, Gabby leaning into the contact. "You guys just get back?"

"Yeah, just a couple minutes ago." She tells him, Casey smiling sympathetically as he takes in her clearly tired features.

"Main's really been pounding you two with calls, huh?" She nods her answer, already taking another sip of her coffee. "Sorry baby." He murmurs, pressing another kiss to her head before pulling back. "You hungry?"

"Starving." She quickly replies watching as Matt grins before rounding the counter and pulling a plate out of the fridge.

"I don't suppose you have another plate in there do you, Casey?" Shay quips, her brows raised as she looks over from the back of the couch she had plopped down on, her feet resting in Mouch's lap.

Casey smirks, pulling a second foiled covered plate out and waving it around. "Oh, thank God." Shay breathes out, pulling herself up from the couch. "I knew you were my favorite for a reason."

"Hey!" Severide interjects from his place at the round table. "I thought I was your favorite?"

Shay rolls her eyes, grabbing the plate from Matt with a 'thank you' thrown his way before directing her attention back to her best friend. "Well, did you save me a plate of food?" She challenges.

Severide scoffs, "Well, damn, if I knew it was that easy."

"Please, you know I am food motivated." Shay throws back, placing her food in the microwave and turning back around to raise another challenging brow to the Squad Lieutenant.

"Noted." He says simply, going back to his magazine he had been reading.

Gabby laughs, shaking her head at the two and pouring herself another cup of coffee, Hermann's brows raising from across the room.

"Damn Dawson, you gonna drink that whole pot?"

She shrugs her shoulders, fighting off another yawn. "I might."

"Someone stay up late celebrating one of their final nights before they are an old married couple?" Shay teases, earning a glare from the brunette paramedic across the island from her.

"Oh, you know they did plenty of that in that hotel, Shay." Kelly butts in, earning his own glare from the Truck Lieutenant.

"You two are terrible," Gabby mutters, avoiding the question altogether.

"That wasn't a no." Shay pushes challengingly.

"It wasn't a yes, either." Gabby challenges back, her perfectly sculpted brow-raising right back.

Shay shakes her head, turning back around as the microwave peeps and pulling her plate out before heading to the table with it. "Whatever you say, Mrs. Casey." She teases lightly.

Gabby rolls her eyes, but can't help the grin the breaks out across her face.

"Wait, is that happening?" Otis asks, Shay looking at him in confusion.

"What? The wedding? God, I hope so, but I guess we will see if Gabby shows up or not tomorrow night."

Casey shoots the blonde a glare while Gabby shakes her head at them, moving to place her own plate in the microwave. "Is what happening, Otis?" She finally asks.

"Are you taking Casey's last name?" He questions.

Casey smiles softly as he turns to face her, meeting her eyes as a warmth spreads through his chest. It was something they had talked about just a couple of days ago. Casey unsure what her plan was. Changing her last name something he wanted to be her choice completely. While he wasn't sure what she wanted to do at the time, he couldn't blame her for wanting to keep her name, knowing at the very least she was well known as Dawson and it was a part of her roots. It wasn't something he would ever ask her to do.

A selfish part of him wanted her too, he wanted to be able to call her Gabriela Casey. He wanted to see his name following hers. He wanted their future children to share the last name with her... but it wasn't a decision he would make for her. Casey knowing her name was part of her identity and something she shouldn't have to give up if she didn't want to.

It was something that he and Hallie had discussed at one point too. His ex-wife never taking his last name, stating she had spent too much of her time working to become Dr. Thomas and that wasn't a part of her she wanted to erase. It had given him perspective back then, and he had respected that decision. Just as he would have done the same for Gabby if she chose not to take his name... but that hadn't been the case.

The two of them spending an early morning snuggled in bed to broach the topic. Gabby having already made up her mind that she planned to change her name.

"I want us to share everything, baby... I waited years to be yours, and now I want more than anything to be completely yours. I love being a Dawson... but I think I am going to love being a Casey even more..."

Her words from that morning playing in his head as he takes in Otis's question, his eyes trained on his fiancé while he waited for her to answer. Her cheeks tinting pink at his loving stare before she broke away, looking over to Otis.

"I am." She finally answers, her smile unmoving.

"Wait, you won't be Dawson anymore?" Cruz asks.

"Nope," Gabby answers, popping the word in her mouth as the microwave beeps and she grabs her own food, heading over to take a seat at the long table, Casey joining her in his normal spot at the head of it.

"Damn, it's going to be weird having two Casey's around here." Hermann comments.

Matt shakes his head at them, "I think we will all manage just fine."

"What about on calls? We can't just be yelling out 'Casey' you'll never know who we are talking too." Mouch throws out.

Gabby finishes chewing her bite of food, rolling her eyes in the process. "I think we will know who you are talking to, Mouch." She tells him. "I don't think you all will be calling me to the second floor of a burning building or Matt over to triage a patient."

The house chuckles at her words, Mouch seeming to consider this before nodding, clearly satisfied with that answer.

"Besides, you guys are all still allowed to call me Dawson. It's going to be legally changing, that's all." She explains further, getting nods of approval before everyone is settling back down into their own conversations. Gabby turning her eyes to Matt as he looks her over, his smile only growing as she meets his eyes.

"What?" She finally asks around her final mouthful of lasagna.

Casey shakes his head, standing up and grabbing her plate to take to the sink but not before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Nothing, I just love you."

I never meant to fall for you but I
Was buried underneath and
All that I could see was white
My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my

Dawson moves from the locker room into the hall of the bunk room. After a rather long call to a gunshot victim in Lincoln Park, she was in desperate need of a shower. The hot water soothing her aching muscles after a long day of work. It was past six at night and she knew most of the house was in the common room while Mills cooked them dinner. The majority of them likely waiting less than patiently.

She stops on her trail to the common room, spotting Casey at his desk working on some paperwork, and decides to reroute in his direction. She knocks lightly on the door before pushing it open, Matt turning around and meeting her eyes.

An instant smile is pulling at his lips as he takes her in.

"Hey, babe. How was the shower?"

She runs her hands over his shoulder before moving to his bed, setting down on the edge of it. "Lonely." She quips.

The Lieutenant turning back around to face her with an amused expression on his face. "Oh really?"

She bites back a grin. "Mhm... very."

"Probably for the best anyways." He starts, Gabby's brow-raising in question. "You are going to need your rest to make it through tomorrow night."

The way his voice drops sends a shiver through her spine, and she knows his words to be true. Their wedding night something she was looking forwards to for many reasons. Spending the night with him as her husband just one of the many reasons.

Her eyes fall to the floor, biting back the smile on her lips as her cheeks heat up at his words. After a beat of silence, her eyes fall to the clock on his desk, her smile growing.

"Little less than 24 hours until we are married." She tells him, his eyes following hers and his own smile forming as he takes in the time.

"Wow." He breathes out, shaking his head in wonder. "This just got real." He comments, turning back to her.

"You're not getting cold feet now, are you?" She jokes.

He shakes his head, wheeling his chair over to her and pulling on her hand, Gabby standing up for only a moment before he is pulling her down into his lap, a squeak of surprise leaving her at his action. He presses a kiss to her shoulder. Before meeting her brown eyes with his blues.

"Never." He finally answers. "I can't wait to make you my wife."

Gabby smiles, running her hand along his cheek. "Good. I can't wait for you to be my husband."

Matt pulls her down, pressing a deep kiss to her lips, both of them letting themselves fall into the action. Letting their love and want shine through in the lip to lip contact.

Gabby groans as the bells ring out, pulling away and letting her forehead rest against his for a moment as they listen to the call.

When all companies are called, she presses one last quick kiss to his lips before pulling away and standing up. "Real never waits."

Casey laughs lightly at her words. Squeezing her hand as they both head out of his office and down the hall, picking up their pace to catch up with the rest of the house filling out the common room.

In less than 24 hours they'd be married, but for now, they had the citizens of Chicago to serve.

My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my
My salvation
My, my